AARP Rewards Online Community Cruise Contest 2023

My hubby and I take a few strong metal magnetic C clips to put on the walls of our room for hanging up of extra clothes or towels which are wet, so the bathroom isn't as cluttered. You can get a pack of them for a couple bucks at your local Harbor Freight store or Amazon! Hope this helps 🙂

While I have never been on a cruise myself, I have seen friends and family enjoy them immensely.  I would love to find cruises that explore coastal destinations that would be hard to travel to by land or air - remote destinations like Alaska or Iceland, or remote islands with no airports. I also think theme cruises would be fun, like film festivals, art camps, or yoga/meditation retreats on board -- maybe I could find a program where I could teach classes for discount credit! What do you think AARP? Do such programs exist? Any advice?

p.s. thanks everyone for the awesome tips - love that magnetic hook trick! 🙂🛳️

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@AARPTeri wrote:

Want to set sail this summer? Share some of your best tips for making cruise travel easy and fun, and how AARP Rewards can help you travel, for a chance to win!

 

The contest runs from July 10 through Aug. 6, 2023. We will choose three (3) winners to receive a $500 Carnival Cruise Gift Card! 

 

To enter, reply to this post before August 6, 2023, with your tips for cruising and how you use AARP Rewards to help you travel.  

 

Official Rules for the contest are posted here -   AARP Rewards Online Community Cruise Contest 2023

 

Example for a Post Entry:

When my family and I travel on cruises we always arrive at port at least one day earlier so we don’t have to rush the morning of and can explore the area. Last year we used AARP Rewards to purchase a discounted Hotels.com gift card to save on our hotel stay in Port Canaveral, Florida the day before our cruise.

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Leave your worries, your work, your computer and your cell phone behind. Relax and enjoy the present.

Hi I’ve never been on a cruise but I know something’s about travel:                    1) research & make sure you go on a cruise that fits your lifestyle (age makes a difference, kids or no, etc.) it might be worth it going through a travel agent or better yet, AARP.

2) plan your trips & your outfits but be flexible 

3) bring extra money but keep within your budget

4) don’t overeat! People say they often gain weight when they go on a cruise, so make sure you have some clothes with wiggle room 

5) I’ve heard getting a room with an outside balcony is priceless, especially for people who might get seasick

6) read travel blogs, etc. to find ‘hacks’ & ideas, the magnetic hook idea is great

7) relax and have fun

My #1 tip about cruises is don't go 8 months pregnant !!! LoL ! I've been on one cruise, and I was 8 months pregnant..although I tried very hard to enjoy myself, a lot of the experiences were so hot and, honestly, miserable. We booked a cruise a year in advance and during that year I became pregnant with my first child. My doctor gave me the ok, so we decided to go ahead and go. We also booked excursions a year early, which we were not able to cancel. We swam with dolphins, which was amazing and very interesting being pregnant. The dolphins knew I was pregnant and they were very curious and all wanted to come around me and see what was in my belly! It was an amazing experience. We also booked a excursion to the city of Atlantis (in the Bahamas) which was miserable because I was pregnant. It was a very long and very hot walk. 

So, I would say def don't go on a cruise pregnant! 

I would say, enjoy the food! You are able to enjoy so many different types of food and some in a cafeteria style and then they usually have the fancy dinner night, with amazing food. Take advantage of all the food and sweets you can, you never know you might find a new favorite!!

Thanks for this amazing opportunity @AARPTeri  !!

Carnival Cruises are meant to be fun! Relax, get in the Conga line (even if you're embarrassed). And pack less than you think you need! Pre-plan your ashore trips, but remember to mix match outfits so you can wear many of the same clothing articles more than once. And have fun!

Take advantage of buying gift cards for your cruise at AARP, or even better enter to win a Carnival gift card.  Also read the great travel tips on the site, you’ll be glad you did

Never tried Carnival; only always went RCL or NCL and LOVED cruising with them, but would love to try Carnival! Cruising is a wonderful way to see the world, and the food is unbelievably delicious!

Always remember to use your AARP card for discounts and special offers on car rentals, hotels, and restaurants before, during, and after the cruise!

A short 3-4 day cruise was the perfect mixture of fun, relaxation and peacefulness that helped me bounce back from being sad lonely and depressed after losing both of my parents within 12 months. My girlfriend invited me (and the price so low I couldn’t say no) and I attempted to back out at the very end but she wouldn’t let me. Cozumel was great and the spa and comedy and food and casino were all fun activities that reminded me LIFE IS STILL WORTH LIVING after the death of your loved ones. 🥰